'The Crown': Everything We Know About Season 3

By Courtney Shea for Chatelaine

January 19, 2018

For those of us in The Crown withdrawal, the prospect of season 3 is a light at the end of a very long tunnel. Until then, we are left to obsess over every tiny reveal, like the recent bombshell that Princess Margaret will likely be played by Helena Bonham Carter and Paul Bettany is in talks to play Prince Philip. Here, more on that and everything else we know about next season.

There’s a new Queen in the castle

While it’s hard to imagine anyone other than the marvelous Claire Foy in the role of Queen Elizabeth II, series creator Peter Morgan has always said that he would introduce a new cast to play the royals as they age on the show. Last October, Variety reported that English actress
Olivia Colman will portray HRH for seasons 3 and 4. Fans of British drama know the 43-year-old actor from Broadchurch and The Night Manager (two worthy dramas if you’re looking for shows to fill the void).

The new season will be set in the seventies

The show left off with the birth of Prince Edward in 1964, but it may not return there. According to one of the show’s producers, season 3 will jump forward a bit to the 1970s, which means plenty of prime ministers, the decline of the Commonwealth and the introduction of a certain future “future queen,” Camilla Parker Bowles, who first met her prince charming at a polo match in 1971. As for the other famous royal blond,
Lady Diana Spencer (who met Charles in 1977), she may or may not appear in the series’ third act, according to Morgan, who told Vanity Fair that the so-named “Queen of Hearts” may have to wait until the fourth season.

Prince Phillip will (probably) be handsome

The latest reports on which actor might slip into the Duke’s most distinguished trousers have pinpointed Paul Bettany for the role. Prior to these murmurings, Matt Smith (who plays Philip in the first two seasons), provided a bit of info during an appearance on
Late Night with Seth Meyers last month, saying he thinks he knows who it is, and adding that if he’s right, he is “totally flattered” by the selection. Per Smith, the mystery man is “incredibly handsome.” Jennifer Connelly's hubby certainly fits the bill!

Princess Margaret will (probably) be awesome …

While Netflix has yet to announce that the amazing Helena Bonham Carter will play the Queen’s rebellious younger sis,
Vanessa Kirby (who has played Margaret up until now) seemed to confirm the rumour via this Instagram post.

… and she’ll (still) be unlucky in love

Historically documented spoiler alert! Margaret and her photographer husband won’t make it past the season finale. This per
The Crown’s historical consultant Robert Lacey, who says the split (the first royal divorce since 1901!) will be a significant plot line for the coming season.

Season 3 might not air until 2019

Tradition dictates an early winter release (season 1 aired in November 2016; season 2 last December), but
according to the BBC, we may have to wait a little longer for the third instalment.

But it will be worth the wait

Admittedly this is just a hunch, but it’s one you could probably bet the crown jewels on.

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